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Photos and party guide to a top Independence Day celebration at the beach.

Fourth of July in Hermosa Beach
Parties, Photos and Fireworks in the South Bay

Life's a beach for those in Hermosa and Manhattan on the 4th of July.

Keg parties at houses by the beach. An athletic competition that ends with a beer-drinking contest. Margarita wrestling on the sand.

If ever there were an ideal place to celebreate the Fourth of July, it would be here, in the South Bay beach cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles.

It's a scenic scene along the Strand in Hermosa Beach.

For it is here that the fireworks begin long before dark. And continue for days until it's time to get back to work. There are dozens of house parties up and down a path of concrete that runs parallel to the beach known as The Strand. The combined four miles is a sea of sensations, tanned bodies in red, white and blue bikinis and surfer shorts, top hats and American flags.

The American spirit is alive and well in the LA beach cities.

Most people navigate by single-speed bicycles known as Strand Cruisers and that's just what they are doing – cruising the Strand and stopping along the way to party like a patriot.

For years, Manhattan Beach was been THE place to be for the 4th. A certain group of single young men saw to it that 1300 The Strand was the center of attention, complete with a fun band and a swimming pool fashioned from a 747 life raft.

However, since they have moved on, so has the party scene. It is now just south in Hermosa Beach and it starts well before noon.

The third element of the annual Ironman is to chug a six-pack of beer.

The official beginning of the 4th of July in Hermosa Beach is an unofficial event called the Ironman. Typical of this beach community, it involves athletic feats followed by alcohol absorption. Competitors must run a mile, paddle a mile in the ocean on a paddleboard, then consume a 6-pack of beer.

Judges monitor the latter, making sure it's good to the last drop. Many who accomplish this feat top it off by unleashing their stomachs onto the sand. So it's wise to stand clear of any competitor.

About a thousand spectators gather on the sand at 28th Street to watch. After the winner is declared, all celebrate with a punk band right on the sand, followed by a mosh pit. This starts about 10 and by about 12:30 the Hermosa Beach police politely move in and make sure everyone moves on, which is not a problem as many other opportunities await for the thirsty throng.

One important item to note is that to keep the Hermosa and Manhattan Beach police from being too busy this time of the year (if you get our drift) have traveling beverages in a plastic squirt bottles or similar container. Technically, it's illegial to have alcoholic beverages on the Strand and sand. However, since pretty much everyone does it the key is to keep it low key.

Headed south on the Strand, there are parties happening all over the place – on the beach, in beach houses and the bars along Pier Ave. Another time-honored tradition is the pub crawl; depending on which day the 4th falls, there are likely to be two or three happening at the same time. But never on the Fourth; that's reserved for house parties.

Many parties are private and require guests knowing somebody (which is not much of a problem for locals). Some are open to anyone who looks friendly. Or if the hosts enjoy the looks of a potential guest. It's best to check out the scene, bring your own booze and go with the flow.

A margarita wrestling contest takes place on the beach.

One that is open is a unique adventure, a margarita wrestling contest. An inflatable pool is placed on the southern end of the beach and is filled with a green liquid. We can call it margaritas but it looks suspicoulsy like the "margarita" the mermaid slides into at Margaritaville in Las Vegas.

At any rate, it's good fun and several hundred people gather around to watch girls in bikinis and even guys get wet and wild. A $25 donation covers all the booze. Plus, it's for a good cause as the money goes to breast cancer.

For more info, visit: www.margaritawrestling.com

The fireworks are over the Redondo Beach Marina.

For the fireworks, people retreat to house parties or stay on the Strand to watch the show from neighboring Redondo or Marina del Rey to the north.

Then it's more house parties.

Hermosa Beach/Manhattan Beach
4th of July Party Photos

PubClub's Guide to Hermosa Beach Bars